Listening well is an essential component of good leadership. You can become a more effective listener and leader by learning the skills of active listening. Working relationships become more solid, based on trust, respect, and honesty. Active listening is not an optional component of leadership; it is not a nicety to be used to make others feel good. It is, in fact, a critical component of the tasks facing today's leaders.

About the Author

This series of guidebooks draws on the practical knowledge that the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) has generated, since its inception in 1970, through its research and educational activity conducted in partnership with hundreds of thousands of managers and executives. Much of this knowledge is shared-in a way that is distinct from the typical university department, professional association, or consultancy. CCL is not simply a collection of individual experts, although the individual credentials of its staff are impressive; rather it is a community, with its members holding certain principles in common and working together to understand and generate practical responses to today's leadership and organizational challenges. The purpose of the series is to provide managers with specific advice on how to complete a developmental task or solve a leadership challenge. In doing that, the series carries out CCL's mission to advance the understanding, practice, and development of leadership for the benefit of society worldwide. Michael H. Hoppe is a senior program and research associate at CCL's Greensboro campus. He delivers custom programs to clients worldwide, as well as the Leadership Development Program (LDP) (r) and other open-enrollment programs. He also researches and designs modules on cross-cultural leadership issues. Michael holds an M.S. in clinical psychology from the University of Munich, Germany; an M.S. in educational psychology and statistics from the State University of New York at Albany; and a Ph.D. in adult education and institutional studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.